The problem is the local shows for all four of those acts were sold out well before spring officially began Thursday.

But they're hardly the only Milwaukee concerts happening through May worth seeing. Here are the 10 shows we're most looking forward to you. Tickets are still available for all these concerts — at least for now.

A former drug dealer and member of the Crips street gang in Los Angeles, Schoolboy Q has risen to the hip-hop A-list on the heels of his chart-topping major label studio album debut, "Oxymoron." Tracks like the tasty "Collard Greens," dance rave-up "Hell of a Night" and playful thug-life anthem "Break the Bank" are designed for live-show freakouts, but there's a gritty darkness to Q's lyrics that have been prompting comparisons to Kendrick Lamar. (7:30 p.m. April 17, the Rave, 2401 W. Wisconsin Ave. $22.50 to $27.50 at the box office, (414) 342-7283 and therave.com.)

It's been 10 years since Loretta Lynn released an album: "Van Lear Rose," a collaboration with Jack White that won the Grammy for best country album. But at 81, the country legend is still singing genre staples such as "Coal Miner's Daughter" and "You Ain't Woman Enough (To Take My Man)" for live audiences. (8 p.m. April 10 and 11, Northern Lights Theater, Potawatomi Bingo Casino, 1721 W. Canal St. $55 to $65 at the box office, (800) 745-3000 and ticketmaster.com.)

One of music's most interesting comeback stories, socially conscious singer-songwriter Rodriguez's two studio albums in the early 1970s came and went nearly unnoticed. He left the business, but his music found a surprising following in South Africa, prompting a couple of fans to try to locate him in the late '90s. The quest became the basis of "Searching for Sugar Man," which won the Oscar for best documentary last year. (8 p.m. May 16, Riverside Theater, 116 W. Wisconsin Ave. $35 to $45, on sale noon Friday at the Riverside box office, the Pabst Theater box office, (414) 286-3663 and pabsttheater.org.)

4. Jerry Garcia Symphonic Celebration

Do you think Garcia ever imagined in the Grateful Dead's early days that his music would be interpreted by a 43-piece live orchestra? But the Dead's legacy lives on, and will be saluted at this unique tribute show featuring Warren Haynes (The Dead, Gov't Mule, the Allman Brothers Band). (8 p.m. May 21, Riverside Theater. $45.50 to $75.50.)

Electronic duo Sarah Barthel and Joshua Carter have an emerging hit on their hands with "Fall in Love," but practically all the other songs on its hypnotic and addictive new album "Voices" is strong enough for alternative radio. Good reviews for its series of sets in Austin, Texas, during South by Southwest bode well for a big year ahead. (8 p.m. April 11, Pabst Theater, 144 E. Wells St. $20.)

The last time Oberst was in town, he delivered one of the best concerts of the year. This time out, the Bright Eyes frontman has something special in store: Not only will he be playing new songs from forthcoming solo album "Upside Down Mountain" (out May 20), but Dawes will be his backing band. (The acclaimed Americana act also opens.) (8 p.m. May 31, Pabst Theater, 144 E. Wells St. $27.50.)

The Grammy-winning, multiplatinum progressive bluegrass trio is back after a seven-year hiatus, and with new music, too (album "A Dotted Line" drops April 1 — we're not fooling). (7:30 p.m. May 10, Riverside Theater. $35 to $45.)

The orchestral rock group doesn't have the following it deserves, possibly because of its heavy subject matter: Its deeply emotional 2012 album "A Church That Fits Our Needs" concerned the 2008 suicide of frontman Ari Picker's mother. But the band actually puts on a fun live show, and the recent album "Past Life" is more accessible without sacrificing the band's ethereal prettiness. (9:30 p.m. April 19, Cactus Club, 2496 S. Wentworth Ave. $10 at the door and cactusclub.tix.musictoday.com.)

Five spring albums to listen for

Still content to stay in? (After this winter, we can't imagine why, but your call.) It'll be a typically busy spring for album releases. Five likely highlights:

1. "Honest," Future — It feels as if Future's been hyped as the future star of hip-hop for forever now, but the rapper's delayed album "Honest" is honestly coming out next month (or so we hear), with guest appearances from such proven stars as Kanye West, Drake, Pharrell, Andre 3000, Wiz Khalifa and Lil Wayne. (April 22)

2. "Out Among the Stars," Johnny Cash — Nearly 11 years after his death, the Man in Black continues to release new music. "Stars" was supposed to be released in the '80s, but Columbia Records dropped Cash from its roster, and the album — featuring duets with June Carter Cash and Waylon Jennings — was never released. (March 25)

3. "Ghost Stories," Coldplay — For much of its career, Coldplay seemingly aspired to be the biggest band of the world, filling up its catalog with emotional, cinematic, arena-ready, singalong pop rock. Now, the band seems more interested in artistic adventure, if the more subtle early singles from its sixth album are any indication. (May 19)

4. "Everyday Robots," Damon Albarn — The talent behind Blur and Gorillaz without dispute performed the best set of the couple dozen I caught at SXSW this month, consisting of exceptionally focused and melodic performances of songs from his forthcoming, first proper solo studio album. The songs span from the title track — a curious, cautionary tale about losing your humanity to your smartphone — to the peppy "Mr. Tembo," inspired by a baby elephant Albarn befriended in Tanzania. (April 29)

5. "The Both," The Both — On Nov. 11, 2012, Aimee Mann and her opener, Ted Leo, were hanging out before a gig that night at the Pabst Theater, and they decided they should start a band. That band is The Both, and their debut single is a tribute to the city where it was born, "Milwaukee," complete with a reference to the Bronze Fonz. (April 15)

About Piet Levy

Piet Levy covers music for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and TapMilwaukee.com. For more music updates, you can also follow him on Facebook and Instagram​.